This serves as notification from the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources of a request from Henry Smith Lewis for a Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) permit under Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 12-5-280 et seq., to construct and maintain a bulkhead at 110 Herb River Drive, Lot 9, Grimball Creek, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. The proposed project is under 1/10 of an acre and therefore may be considered a minor alteration of coastal marshlands under O.C.G.A. 12-5-280 et. seq.
The project site consists of a developed residential lot with a private recreational dock. A Revocable License was issued for the dock facility October 20, 1976. A Letter of Permission was issued November 22, 2017 for emergency repairs to the dock facility.
The marshlands component of the project includes installation of a 116ft. x 1.6ft. x 6ft. bulkhead with 41.2 cubic yards of back fill in CMPA jurisdiction. As proposed the project will permanently impact approximately 232sq.ft. (0.005 acre) of coastal marshlands.
The upland component of the project consists of all existing, permanent, and temporary activities taking place within the 50ft. marshlands buffer which totals 5,255sq.ft. There are no existing structures within the 50ft. marshlands buffer. Permanent impacts to the upland component of the project will consist of tie-back piles (12sq.ft.) and tie-back cables and rods (460sq.ft.). Temporary impacts to the upland component include the equipment work zone (1,231sq.ft.). The 50ft. marshlands buffer is and will remain 100% pervious.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the project is not contrary to the public interest and that no feasible alternative sites exist. Impacts to coastal marshlands must be minimal in size. In passing upon the application for permit, the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee shall consider the public interest: (1) Whether or not unreasonably harmful obstruction to or alteration of the natural flow of navigational water within the affected area will arise as a result of the proposal; (2) Whether or not unreasonably harmful or increased erosion, shoaling of channels, or stagnant areas of water will be created; and (3) Whether or not the granting of a permit and the completion of the applicants proposal will unreasonably interfere with the conservation of fish, shrimp, oysters, crabs, clams, or other marine life, wildlife, or other resources, including but not limited to water and oxygen supply.
A detailed public notice with drawings has been distributed and is available by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website: CoastalGaDNR.org under “Public Notices.”
Please provide this office with substantive, site-specific comments as to why the proposed work should or should not proceed. Comments and questions concerning this proposed project should be submitted in writing and be submitted by the close of business on September 3, 2024 to Cheyenne Osborne, Department of Natural Resources, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 or via email at Cheyenne.Osborne1@dnr.ga.gov.
Click here to view application.